DefinePK

Abstract

Background and Objective: Currently, our understanding of the specific mechanisms and effects of ligustrazine on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains limited. This research evaluated the inhibition of ligustrazine on the proliferation of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells and its impact on ultrasound imaging. The potential anti-tumor effect of ligustrazine and its influence on ultrasound imaging parameters were explored. Materials and Methods: Ligustrazine was extracted. The influence of ethanol concentration, volume, extraction frequency, duration and temperature on ligustrazine concentration was analyzed. The MTT assay evaluated ligustrazine’s impact on cell proliferation capacity. Western blot assessed the expression of proteins related to the AKT/mTOR signaling. Twenty nude mice were divided into control and ligustrazine groups. Parameters of time-intensity curves were analyzed. Results: The highest extraction efficiency of ligustrazine was achieved by extracting it three times with 100 mL of 75% ethanol at 60°C for 180 min each time. The levels of p-AKT and p-mTOR proteins in LSCC cells were downregulated in the ligustrazine-treated groups (p<0.05). In the ligustrazine group, the tumor weight, tumor volume and parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (acceleration time, ACT and increased signal intensity, ISI) were reduced (p<0.01). Conclusion: Ligustrazine regulates the proliferation capacity of LSCC cells through the AKT/mTOR SPW, promotes the dynamic response of blood flow, influences the dynamic behavior of blood flow and also influences the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.